MLS bans Ghana’s Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones for life in betting scandal

Major League Soccer (MLS) has issued lifetime bans to Ghanaian international Yaw Yeboah and American midfielder Derrick Jones following a lengthy investigation that uncovered extensive and systematic breaches of the league’s gambling policies.

The league announced the sanctions on Monday, concluding a probe that began in late 2025 after integrity monitors flagged suspicious betting patterns. The investigation, conducted independently by the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, revealed that both players wagered on soccer matches during the 2024 and 2025 seasons—including games involving their own teams.

Betting on Own Games and Yellow Cards

According to the league’s findings, the violations went beyond standard gambling infractions. In one specific incident on October 19, 2024, the pair placed a wager that Jones would receive a yellow card during a match—a bet that proved successful when the caution was issued.

Investigators further determined that Yeboah and Jones likely shared confidential inside information with other bettors regarding their intention to draw yellow cards, compromising the integrity of the sport.

Despite the serious nature of the betting activities, MLS stated that there is no evidence to suggest the final outcomes of any matches were manipulated.

League Response

MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the league’s zero-tolerance stance on such violations.

“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” Garber said. “The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans.”

Both players were placed on administrative leave in October 2025 pending the investigation’s outcome. The lifetime bans mark one of the harshest disciplinary measures in MLS history regarding gambling, surpassing the sanctions previously handed to players like Felipe Hernández.

Club and Player Reactions

The scandal has cast a shadow over the pair’s tenure together at Columbus Crew during the 2024 season. While Jones remained with the club through 2025, Yeboah moved to Los Angeles FC, where he made 17 appearances before mutually terminating his contract in January. He has since joined Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu.

In a statement, Columbus Crew expressed full support for the league’s findings.

“The Columbus Crew are proud of the reputation we’ve established in MLS and global soccer that’s rooted in respect and integrity throughout our organization. We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren’t aligned with these critical values,” the club stated.

Profiles

Yeboah, 28, is a product of Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy who began his European career with Manchester City in 2014. After spells across Europe, he joined Columbus Crew in 2022 and was instrumental in their MLS Cup triumph in 2023, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier left wing-backs.

Jones, also 28, moved to the U.S. as a teenager and developed through the ranks at Philadelphia Union, amassing over 130 MLS appearances with several clubs, including Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo, and Charlotte FC.

The suspensions bring an end to both players’ careers in North America’s top flight, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of violating professional sports gambling regulations.